Beam axle narrowing in Michigan

Can anyone recommend a shop to narrow a 65 Chevy Van beam axle? Would prefer something near the Detroit area. Thanks, Tony

 

I'm open to sending it out to someone if I don't get any local referrals. Thanks!

 

If you don't find anyone I could use a couple of bucks sent it to me with dimensions. I am not an axle shop but I can narrow it up for you just fine.

 

Can you safely narrow an I beam? Tube I could see but an I beam?

 

Nostalgia Sid's Dropped Axle Service! He's a HAMBer and he's the shit. Check him out.


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I narrowed an ibeam from a 50's Chevy truck many years ago. I cut the amount out of the middle, chamfered, and welded it back together. Welded a pice of stock into the backside of the web for a bit of insurance. I used it a low budget roadster with cross-spring(welded hangers on it) for some years before sending it down the road. Prety sure it worked okay, just need confidence in your weld ablility or the shop doing it.

 

If it's forged STEEL, it welds. If it's cast...Don't Dare! In fact, if it's cast, hang it on the wall.

 

The load is on the perches, not the center, and they're forged steel, so no big deal. a filch plate on the back would seem like good piece of mind.

Brian

 

i used to tack all my race cars together with gas then take them to a certified welder to finish ( one of my sponsors )----a certified welder could weld a forged axle and would bring a safety factor with the job---i know lots of people on here have a high skill level and would have no problems--this is for us that don't

 

No plate necessary if welded correctly.

 

Yep.

 

This is Sid's website:
http://www.droppedaxles.com/

His HAMB user name is "55 Mercury".

He's good people.

 

There's a good thread on here about someone who sectioned an axle.
Its made me want to try it.
TP

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=168603

 

Thanks guys. It looks like Sid doesn't do any welding on axles, unfortunately.

 

Well that doesn't leave you many options but maybe someone today will have an idea for you.

Back to the top.

 

I did some searching around and found that a '48-'52 Ford F-1 axle has near ideal spring spacing (29" center to center, which should line up almost perfectly with the Nova frame rails). If I go this route, I would have to figure out a fix to convert the Ford wheel bolt pattern to 5 on 4.75". Would love to hear from anyone who has done this conversion. Thanks!

 

i still have the axle shortened by topcat662 in my pickup ,good as the day it was done

 

Correct. It is actually a bad idea, as it creates stress risers at the corners of the plate.

Nothing at all wrong with narrowing a forged I-beam. I'll do it for you if you don't find someone reputable closer to home.

Welded,dressed,normalized, and magnafluxed if you wish.

 

Easily done by anyone that’s a halfway decent welder.
Simply do a stepped seam or a diagonal seam …. much better than a strait butt

 

Yep

 

The disc brake conversion kits for F-1's come in that bolt pattern if you are wanting to go that route.

 

Thanks for the replies folks. After staring at this axle I realize it must be out of a 1960s Econoline. It actually still has the 4.5" bolt circle hubs on the front. Looks like I need to pay for a brake kit regardless!

 

I just called Sid In Oklahoma and he said because of liability issues he does not cut, shorten and reweld I beam or "straight" front axles. He said it can be done he just does not. DANG-IT!!, I am within driving distance and either need to shorten one or extend my front fenders. Would rather shorten the axle.........

Rick

 

Find a pro welder in your area. Cut it then have them weld it back together.